Top roll spinning assembly



Dec. 27, 1960 K. P. SWANSON TOP ROLL SPINNINGASSEMBLY 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 26, 1957 K. P. SWANSON 2,965,934 TOP ROLL SPINNING ASSEMBLY Deg. 27, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 26, 1957 INVENTOR. Jun/m0 Kw P Dec. 27, 1960 K. P. SWANSON 2,965,934

TOP ROLL SPINNING ASSEMBLY Filed April 26, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l ll llljl Dec. 27, 1960 K. P. SWANSON 2,965,934

TOP ROLL SPINNING ASSEMBLY Filed April 26, 1957' 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Illlll.....

INVENTOR.

kwa m wm X 1M Z/JZTv/Mfl TOP ROLL SPINNING ASSEMBLY Kenneth P. Swanson, 204 Chapel St., Abington, Mass.

Filed Apr. 26, 1957, Ser. No. 655,337

7 Claims. (Cl. 19-134) This invention relates to yarn spinning mechanism and more particularly to an improved top roll assembly adapted to be employed with the bottom rolls of spinning frames in present use. The top ro-.ls cooperating with the bottom rolls in mechanism heretofore known have commonly been weighted to produce the necessary strand gripping pressure between the pairs of rolls. Such mechanism is not only complex and cumbersome but also places substantial weight on the bottom rolls and their supports in the frame. Furthermore, the rolls have been substantially longer than necessary and the top rolls have been constructed and operated in axially aligned pairs all of which substantially increases the weighted load on the bottom rolls, generates inaccuracies difficult to control, and increases the cost of the mechanism and its operative maintenance. The primary object of my invention resides in the production of an improved top roll assembly which substantially simplifies this mechanism, eliminates these objectionable features and produces superior and more efficient operation at reduced cost.

My improved top roll assembly embodies mechanism constructed to be anchored to the bottom rolls of spinning frames in present use and provided with means for resiliently pulling and holding the top and bottom rolls together in strand gripping relation, all without placing any weight or load on the bottom rolls or their supports. Thus the mechanism is substantially simplified and the objectionable load eliminated.

My improved mechanism is preferably constructed in individual assemblies each employing relatively narrow top rolls adapted to operate on a single strand, thereby simplifying the rolls and their operation and eliminating'inac'curacies arising in weighted double roll assemblies each operative on a pair of strands. The novel top roll assembly is furthermore wholly and conveniently removable as a unit from the bottom rolls, thereby fully exposing the bottom rolls for threading and piecing-up operations. The production of a novel and improved mechanism of this nature which results in substantially reduced costs and more efficient operation comprises a further object of the invention.

These and other features of the invention will be best understood and appreciated from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1' is a plan view of my novel top roll assembly, with parts partially broken away,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, partially broken away,

Fig.3 is a perspective view of a carrier-frame adapted to he supportedonthe bottom rolls,

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of top roll assembly parts adaptedto be supported on and cooperate with the carrier frame,

Fig. S is a plan view of the top roll supporting cage shown inv Fig. 4,

A 2,965,934 Patented Dec. 27, 19so ice Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of a bridge member in the top roll assembly, and

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a modified construction.

Referring first to Figs. l-6 of the drawings, I have illustrated the usual front, middle and back bottom rolls 10, 12 and 14 of spinning frames in present use, the rolls being supported in parallel relation on shafts or axles 11, 13 and 15 extending outwardly from the ends of the rols and rotatably supported in bearings (not shown). Each such set of rolls is adapted to receive a strand 16 thereacross to be gripped between the cooperating pairs of top and bottom rolls. My novel top roll assembly as illustrated in Figs. 1-6 is constructed in indi-' vidual units each having front, middle and back top rolls 18, 20 and 22 for cooperating with the companion bottom rolls 10, 12 and 14 to grip the strand therebetween.

An important feature of the invention resides in the simplicity and adaptability of my top roll assembly to spinning frames in present use, the assembly being adapted to be mounted on and cooperate with the bottom rolls 10, 12 and 14. The assembly embodies a carrier frame 23 comprising side plates 24 stamped from sheet metal and connected rigidly together by posts 25, 26, 27 and 28, as illustrated in Fig. 3. U-shaped clips 30 constructed from nylon or other plastic material are fixed to the side plates 24 in position to clip upwardly over the axles 11 and 15 and thus anchor the carrier to the bottom rolls. The resiliency of the nylon permits the easy application of the carrier to and its removal from the axles and also requires no lubrication.

Cooperating with the carrier is a cage comprising two side bars or plates 32 stamped from sheet metal and rigidly joined in spaced and parallel relation by posts 34 and 36. The rear ends of the plates extend upwardly and are recessed at 38 to engage the post 25 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The carrier 23 is provided with a pair of spring clips 39 mounted on the posts 27 and disposed to receive the cage therebetween when the cage is pivoted about the post 25 to the operative position of Fig. 2. The cage is held in this position by studs 42 fixed to the plates 32 and engaging within holes 44 in the clips. The top rolls 18, 20 and 22 are disposed between the plates 32 and each is mounted on an axle 46 having its ends rotatably disposed in bearings 48 seated in open recesses 50 in the plates, the bearings being flattened to slide vertically and non-rotatably in the recesses.

The front and back rolls 18 and 22 are provided with i the usual cots and are disposed directly to engage the companion bottom rolls 10 and 14. The middle roll 20 is knurled and supports an apron 52 therearound, which apron also extends about a bar 54 seated in notches in the. plates 32. When the cage is in operative position on the carrier 23 the apron 52 is disposed to cooperate with a like apron 56 extending about the bottom roll 12 and a bar 58. The bar 58 is seated in notches 60 in plates 62 supported on the posts 28 of the carrier frame 23. The strand 16 is guided by and through a fixed trumpet 64 seated on supports 66 fixed to the rods 26 in the carrier 23.. A U-shaped strand guide 68 is also provided on supports 70 betweenthe middle and back rolls.

The top and bottom rolls are pulled and held together in strand gripping relation by the following mechanism. A bridge 72 preferably stamped from sheetv metal and folded to the configuration illustrated in Fig. 6 is provided with bifurcated bracket ends adapted to rest on the bearings 48 of the top rolls 20 and 22 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The intermediate portion of the bridge is formed into a U-shaped saddle 74 and into which is threaded a bushing 76 having an annulus 78fixed to its bottom end. A pin 80 slidablein' the bushing carries a seat 82 on its top end within the saddle and a U-shaped stop 84 carried on the bottom endof the pin is disposed to engage the annulus and thus limit upward movement of the pin and seat. A coiled compression spring 86 mounted on the pin between the seat and bushing normally holds the pin upwardly with the stop in contact with the annulus. The compressive force of the spring can be varied by rotatably adjusting the bushing.

An element 87 stamped from sheet metal and folded to the configuration illustrated is provided with a pair of hooks 88 for engaging over two studs 90 on the ends of the post 36. The forward end of the element is bifurcated to provide two bracket legs 91 disposed over and engaging the bearings 48 of the roll 13. A lever 92 pivoted to the other end of the element 87 is provided with cam-like ends 94 for engaging and depressing the seat 82 when the lever is moved to the closed position of Fig. 2. It will be apparent that the element 87 serves as a lever forcing the top roll 18 and the seat 82 downwardly when the lever 92 is moved to the closed position, and the downward pressure on the seat is trans mitted equally to the rolls 20 and 22. The pressure thus transmitted to the rolls 1822 can be varied by adjusting the bushing 76.

It is desirable that the rolls be protected against dust and lint and in Figs. 1 and 2 I have illustrated a hoodlike cover 95 adapted to be placed over and thus protect the rolls. The rear end of the cover is recessed at 96 to hook over the post 25 and thus anchor the cover on the assembly. Carpet pile brushes 97 resiliently supported as by blocks 98 of sponge rubber attached to the top wall of the cover are disposed to contact and clean the rolls 18 and 22.

It will now be apparent that I have produced a novel and substantially simplified top roll assembly adapted directly to cooperate with the bottom rolls of spinning frames in present use. The assembfy is disposed to be anchored to the bottom rolls whereby the top and bottom rolls ride together as a unit, thus eliminating inaccuracies and patterns in the yarn heretofore caused by relative movement between these rolls. Also each assembly is constructed to operate on a single strand, thereby eliminating inaccuracies heretofore caused by relative movements taking place in weighted double assemblies with top rolls each constructed to operate on two strands. Furthermore, my assembly employs relatively narrow rolls and aprons and a fixed trumpet guide, thereby effecting substantial savings in cost and eliminating trumpet moving bars and the resulting friction on the strands.

It is also noted that my assembly and system entirely eliminate the top roll weighting heretofore commonly employed and the resulting load on the bottom rolls and their supports. The employment of my relatively narrow rolls also substantia'ly reduces the strand gripping pressure required of the rolls. The assembly is conveniently mounted on the bottom rolls by first clipping the carrier frame 23 in place thereon and then placing the other parts in position on the carrier. These parts are conveniently removable from the carrier and bottom rolls, thus leaving the bottom rolls entirely exposed and open for threading and piecing-up operations. No adjustments are required except the single adjustment of the bushing 76 to place the desired roll gripping pressure on the strand, thereby eliminating expensive troubles and services heertofore required.

In Fig. 7 I have illustrated a modified construction in which the top rolls are arranged in pairs with the two top rolls of each pair mounted coaxially in spaced relation on a common axle. The front, middle and back bottom rolls 10, 12 and 14 are respectively integral with shafts or axles 11, 13 and 15 and I have shown two such rolls in spaced relation on each shaft. Each set of rolls 10, 12 anrd 14 is adapted to receive a strand 116 thereacross to be gripped between the cooperating top and bottom rolls. The carrier frame 123 is substantially like the frame 23 hereinabove described and is provided with 4 U-shaped clips 130 for clipping to the shafts 11, 13 and 15 to support the carrier frame on the shafts in the manner already described above.

The rolls of the top assembly are constructed in pairs with each assembly having a coaxial pair of front, middle and back rolls 118, and 122 for cooperating with the companion bottom rolls 10, 12 and 14 to grip two strands 116 therebetween. Each pair of top rolls is rotatably mounted on the ends of an axle 124 supported in a cage 132 substantially like the cage 32. Cooperating with the cage 132 is a bridge 172, an element 187 and a lever 192 (substantially like the bridge 72, element 87 and lever 92) for engaging the axles 124 and holding the top rolls in strand gripping engagement with the bottom rofls. The construction and functions performed are substantially like those illustrated and described in Figs. l-6 but slightly modified to accommodate the top rolls in pairs.

Having thus disclosed my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In spinning mechanism including a plurality of bottom rolls arranged side by side to receive a strand thereacross, a carrier, means for anchoring the carrier to the bottom rolls, a plurality of top rolls disposed in position respectively over the bottom rolls to grip the strand therebetween, and mechanism including means anchored to the carrier and engaging the top rolls for pulling and holding the top rolls in strand gripping pressure relation with the bottom rolls relative to the carrier, the bottom rolls being supported on axles extending outwardly from their ends and said means for anchoring the carrier to the bottom rolls comprising U-shaped clips carried by the carrier and disposed to clip over the axles at the ends of the bottom rolls.

2. In spinning mechanism including a plurality of bottom rolls in spaced and parallel lateral alignment to receive a strand thereacross, a carrier, means for anchoring the carrier to the bottom rolls, a cage embodying two bars rigidly joined in spaced and parallel relation, a plurality of top rolls supported in the cage on and between the bars, means removably anchoring the cage to the carrier with the top rolls in position respectively over the bottom rolls to grip the strand therebetween, and means on the cage for pulling and holding the top rolls in strand gripping pressure relation with the bottom rolls.

3. The spinning mechanism defined in claim 2 in which each top roll is rotatably supported on an axle extending outwardly at the ends of the roll and seated in said bars, the last named means including an element connected to the cage for pivotal movement thereon about an axis parallel with the rotary axes of the rolls and having a bifurcated end disposed over the axle ends of an adjacent roll, said last named means also including a cam pivoted to the other end of said element for moving the element about said axis and forcing the top rolls into strand gripping relation with the bottom rolls.

4. The mechanism defined in claim 3 in which three top rolls are mounted in the cage, said last named means including a bridge having bifurcated ends disposed over the axle ends of two adjacent rolls and said cam being disposed to engage the bridge intermediately between said two adjacent rolls and force the rolls into strand gripping relation with their companion bottom rolls.

5. The mechanism defined in claim 4 plus a compression spring disposed between the bridge and cam, and means for varying the compressive force of the spring.

6. The spinning mechanism defined in claim 1 in which the U-shaped clips are resilient nylon blocks.

7. In spinning mechanism including a plurality of shafts having thereon a plurality of bottom rolls in spaced and parallel lateral alignment to receive a strand thereacross, a carrier, means fixed to the carrier and disposed to engage the shafts at the ends of the rolls for supporting the carrier thereon, a cage, a plurality of top rolls supported in lateral alignment on the 5 cage, means removably anchoring the cage to the car References Cited in the file of this patent rier with the top rolls in position respectively over the UNITED bottom rolls to grip the strand therebetween, a bridge STATES PATENTS disposed over two of the laterally aligned top rolls, a 1,362,603 Crane 1920 frame anchored to the cage and disposed over a third 6 top roll, and a lever pivoted to the frame and having FOREIGN PATENTS a cam disposed to engage the bridge, pivotal movement 891,474 France Dec. 11, 1943 of the lever to operative position being adapted to force 1,082,681 France June 23, 1954 the bridge and frame downwardly and hold the top rolls 1,101,865 France Apr. 27, 1955 in strand gripping pressure relation with the bottom rolls. 10 1,123,555 France June 11, 1956 

